READIPOP Festival will soon return to celebrate its fifth anniversary in the summer.

Taking place by the banks of the River Thames in Christchurch Meadows between Friday, July 10 and Sunday, July 12, all money raised by the festival helps support Readipop's charity work.

The organisation helps to provide access to music for vulnerable young people and other underrepresented communities locally.

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Hip hop legends Sugarhill Gang (with Melle Mel and Scorpio from Furious 5), Mercury Music Prize winner Badly Drawn Boy and Bristol dance favourites Kosheen head up their first line-up announcement.

Joining them are a diverse array of new and established artists, including hotly tipped indie-folksters Flyte, Michele and Romeo Stodart from The Magic Numbers, BBC 6Music playlisters Sink Ya Teeth, Dodgy frontman Nigel Clark and Jay-Z sampled funk and soul ensemble Hannah Williams and The Affirmations.

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Supporting local talent is a key goal of both Readipop Festival and Readipop's charity work.

This year's festival will see exclusive shows from Reading reggae collective The Drop and rare groovers The Fever 45s, plus a special showcase of Readipop’s D&D artists (Discovery and Development) on Saturday, July 11.

The showcase will be hosted by aspiring local musicians on the Readipop AAA programme and include performances from Ameli, Amy-Ray, Ray Wills and Searchlight Sun.

Also, BBC Introducing in Berkshire will be hosting a takeover on Sunday, July 12 and selecting the opening acts on the mainstage on Friday 10 and Saturday 11.

Readipop festival director Gavin Lombos said: "It's our fifth birthday this year so we're really pulling out the stops!

"Last year was our best yet with a fantastic all-ages crowd enjoying great music in the sunshine.

"We're thrilled to have the ultimate party starters Sugarhill Gang and Furious 5 headlining our opening night, they are so much fun live with 'Rappers Delight', 'Apache', 'The Message' and 'White Lines' sure to get Christchurch Meadows dancing!

"Most importantly, the festival will support our work changing lives through music in Reading and the Thames Valley.

"From providing youth provision and 1:1 Music mentoring, supporting some of Reading's most vulnerable young people, to running accessible community bands for a wide range of ages and much more, Readipop - and therefore Reading and the Thames Valley - benefit directly from this event."

In addition to the music, attendees can also enjoy local real ales and craft beer, street food, a record store and a Reading Etsy team market full of festival friendly arts, crafts and clothes stalls.

Children are also welcome, with free tickets for under 14s (when accompanied by adults) and there’s a family area with storytellers, arts and crafts, dance and music workshops.

Weekend tickets are available now from £30 each.

The first 18 acts to be announced Readipop Festival 2020 include:

  • Sugarhill Gang + Melle Mel & Scorpio (Furious 5)
  • Badly Drawn Boy
  • Kosheen
  • Flyte
  • Romeo & Michele Stodart (The Magic Numbers)
  • Nigel Clarke (Dodgy)
  • Sink Ya Teeth
  • Imperial Wax (The Fall)
  • Hannah Williams & The Affirmations
  • The Drop
  • Brother Zulu
  • The Fever 45s
  • Ameli
  • Amya-Ray
  • Ray Wills
  • Searchlight Sun
  • Beatroots
  • The Small Strings